Cheap Marketing

     I would have to say that purchasing customer gifts are my most favorite aspect of marketing my business. As a retailer, I often like to add an extra something to each customer’s order. I have found that I can add a special token, while also branding my business and leaving a lasting impression on the customer, with the ultimate marketing hopes that the customer will someday come back for more, with my business information easily accessible.

     I have committed to following the rule that each marketing piece that I purchase for customer gifts, must not exceed one dollar per item. With a small profit margin and a large customer base, I find that this dollar threshold works well for me. With that being said, I will share with you my Top Three Favorite Cheap Marketing Tools Used as Customer Appreciation Gifts:

     Stick Lip Balm Wrapped with my Logo and Business Information
     High quality lip balm has a tendency to add value to a person’s life. And, since my main target audience for my retail products includes women of all ages, I feel like I have a solid demographic to distribute these products as marketing gifts. As a woman myself, I can attest to the fact that my purse and briefcase are never without a good stick of lip balm. And, since lip balm is not gender specific, I am not limited in my audience when distributing this marketing tool. Lip balm is a universal product. People are going to use it whether it has my business name on it or not. Since this product is likely to be used frequently, I often receive repeat business from my lip balm distribution. This marketing tool has been so well received by my customers, that I most often distribute tubes of lip balm in lieu of traditional business cards.

     Reusable Grocery/Shopping Bags
     Piggy-backing on the latest trend, I decided to imprint some nice, reusable shopping bags that contain my business logo and information. At $1 a piece, I tend to dress up my retail orders with these bags, and send my customers on their way with an appreciation gift that will stand the test of time. Since the intent of these bags is to be reusable and not disposable, I feel like I am investing in my business by providing my customers with a logo imprinted shopping bag that they can use over and over again. An added advantage to these bags is that my business information is exposed at little expense to me to the general public when my customers are using their reusable shopping/grocery bags in public.

     A Good and Attractive Pen
     I was reluctant to mention a pen in this article, as this cheap marketing tool is often over used. I believe that most business owners make a mistake when they do not purchase promotional pens of high quality. Of course, a pen is only as good as the ink will last. The intention of this product, as well as the others listed above, is that it will be use often by the customer, proving a regular reminder of my business information. A pen that looks good and writes well is likely to be coveted by customers. And, even if that pen accidently exchanges hands, it will still continue to serve as a cheap marketing tool for me.

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